interviewing for a ft/rn hh position

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Good afternoon, i am currently an rn w an ad working ft on a very busy med/surg unit in a large metro hosp in pgh. I am considering a ft position as a home health nurse working for the same organization which is the largest here in pgh. Im nervous about this potential switch. There r multiple reasons for considering this switch, many of which im sure most can relate. I would love to hear from all with experience in full time rn positions in home health. For instance, what should i b asking during the interview? What is ur day like? What is Oasis C? The hours r 8 to 430 mon thru fri. Is home health care nursing safe? Are there any helpful books available? I simply am burned out w med surg nursing, swinging shifts, having 9 patients and being in charge on night shift, often not having an aide, etc. Please help! I love what i do but hate the circumstances under which i have to work. Any advice is appreciated.

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Please take some time to do some looking in the home health forum. You will find your concerns addressed in many threads and posts. Many are relevant to your situation.

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Thank you for replying. I have reviewed the forum on home health care nursing and unfortunately have not been able to find the specific answers im looking for but will continue to look.

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Has anyone that has switched from med/surg nursing to home health care regretted it?

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Is there ot in home health nursing? Does anyone know of any good books regarding home health nursing, from the nurses point of view?

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I'm also new to home health and I have found books written by Tina Marrelli to be very helpful. I would recommend getting the fourth edition of of her book titled: Handbook of home health standards & documentation guidelines for reimbursement.

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Specializes in Home Health.

Full time work in home health, in the field will NOT be a bed of roses!

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My day is starts around 830 I see 6-9 pts a day. I get home around 5pm have about an hour of charting, if I have an open takes alot longer. We are not computerized. I usually have to see pts on the weekend because my census has been heavy and need to see pts 2-3 times a week. Each day is different. I like home health each agency works differently. Mine is paid per visit and have 3 full time and 2 part time nurses most of us have 18 to 22 pt census. I do not picture myself working in a hospital. HH is VERY different than a hospital. Feel free to PM me of any other questions.

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thanks for the replies regarding my post. I just got home from an 8 hour shift, which actually turned out to be a 12 hour shift. I am burned out with med/surg. The replies that I've read indicate how VERY different HHN is as compared to floor nursing but I would really appreciate more specifics as to how VERY different HHN is compared to floor nursing on a med/surg unit. Specifically, I'm looking for insight into what can I expect in a typical day. Yes, I realize that there will be atypical days, but on average, what is a typical day of HHN? What does one do? This is not per diem work. This position is full-time, hourly. Also, my interview is on Thursday of this week. What can expect to be asked during the interview process? What should I ask during the interview process? I find that I can work as a team player (as long as the others on the team want to play fair) and that I also enjoy being independent, making independent decisions, getting to know my patients, which you rarely get to do on a busy med/surg unit. I also enjoy teaching and eventually would like to teach nursing but until I finish my degree, that's still a work in progress. I'm okay with coming home and working for a few hours, if need be, tying up loose ends. I don't have any children. I have 3 dogs and a very supportive husband, who also has a strong work ethic, like myself. I don't know how to PM someone on here, as one post suggested but would love to speak to someone that way if that's possible.

Really feeling quite frustrated and don't want to make a rash decision based on the day I had today but with the interview just around the corner....hmmmm

Thanks for any help!!!

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Isabelle49...what makes it NOT a bed of roses?

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wow, maybe I'm just tired or really burned out...but i've been reading some of the "typical day in HH" posts....wow...i don't know if i should be really scared or what....btw, what the heck is OASIS????

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i'm reading so many negative hh posts...does anyone have anything positive to say?

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